Preventive dentistry is dental care that helps maintain healthy oral health. It is a mix of frequent dental exams and the development of healthy habits such as brushing and flossing. Taking good care of your teeth begins in childhood and continues throughout your life.
Why Preventive Dental Care is So Important
- Being cautious about this sort of dental care is necessary for various reasons. It is far less costly than restorative dentistry (e.g., fillings, crowns, implants, etc.). As a result, many insurance policies cover most preventative procedures at your dentist’s office. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, a normal cleaning session (a type of preventative dentistry) is much less expensive than having a minor cavity filled.
- Secondly, getting attention to dental care allows you to maintain healthy teeth and gums, which reduces your chances of tooth loss due to gum disease or tooth decay. Moreover, because the mouth has so many nerve endings, oral health problems can be painful. However, if serious dental difficulties can be prevented by proactive prevention, you’ll be less in pain!
- Finally, several studies have found a correlation between dental health and general health. As a result, keeping a healthy mouth via preventative dentistry might help you have a better body overall.
Preventive Dentistry Provides
Preventive dentistry provides both at home and at clinic services.
At Home Service
- There are several ways to employ preventative dental care procedures at home, and many of them are likely already part of your everyday routine. To begin, clean your teeth twice a day (once in the morning and once before bed) and floss at least once a day (preferably before bed). Choose toothbrushes and toothpaste that have been recommended by your dentist. It is important to choose dentist-approved oral health items since they recommend the best health products.
- Secondly, to clean areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot reach, use a dentist-recommended mouthwash. If you have a specific disease or dental health requirements, such as dry mouth or tooth sensitivity, see your dentist before using a speciality mouthwash.
- Thirdly, try to limit your intake of sugary or acidic meals and beverages. Sugars from these products easily develop on your teeth, causing cavities and other problems.
- Finally, make sure that your teeth are getting enough fluoride. Most public water sources are already fluoridated, but if you use well water or live in a remote place, you and your family may need to supplement with fluoride washes to keep your teeth strong.
At Clinic Service
Preventive dentistry isn’t only about how you care for your teeth at home; there are some things that only your dentist can do to help you keep a healthy mouth. That is why it is critical to set up frequent cleaning visits. Most dentists recommend six-month cleanings, but if you have unusual conditions, you may need to visit them more or less occasionally.
During this session, your dentist will most likely perform several preventive dentistry procedures, such as:
- Cleaning your teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup
- Examine your teeth and gums for evidence of decay or gum disease.
- Examine your tongue and other parts of your mouth for problems.
- Screening for mouth cancer or other health issues.
- Performing any specialist treatments required, such as fluoride therapy.
Benefits of Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is successful when patients combine at-home oral care with in-office treatments and advice from experienced dental specialists. Learn more about the benefits of preventative dentistry and why it is essential to maintaining good oral health.
- Avoid Cavities
Cavities cause pain and damage to your teeth and your health over time. The good news is that weekly dental appointments and home brushing can help prevent the growth of cavities in your mouth. The importance of seeing your dentist in addition to at-home preventative care is that they can swiftly remove buildup and plaque from hard-to-reach areas.
- Avoid Serious Health Problems
Many major health conditions begin in your mouth, which you may or may not know. Poor oral hygiene habits allow germs to enter your bloodstream and cause a risk of chronic diseases.
The following ailments have been related to poor oral health:
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Respiratory disease
Not only that, but when pregnancy occurs, you must also take proper care of your teeth. Premature delivery and low birth weight can be caused by poor dental hygiene.
- Save Time
You may not enjoy visiting the dentist, but it is necessary for your health. Consider this: The better you are at preventative dentistry and seeing the dentist, the less time you will spend in the chair. You may go in for a few minutes to have your teeth cleaned and examined instead of waiting hours to have a cavity fixed or a root canal performed. When you get frequent checks, you may discover problems before they worsen and monitor cavities.
Conclusion
Preventive dentistry is all about practicing excellent oral hygiene practices today to avoid more serious problems later. With proper prevention, cavities, gum disease, tooth enamel loss, and gingivitis can all be avoided.
